Hydrogen sulphide demand of long-lived vestimentiferan tube worm aggregations modifies the chemical environment at deep-sea hydrocarbon seeps

Authored by K Shea, EE Cordes, DC Bergquist, CR Fisher

Date Published: 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2003.00415.x

Sponsors: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) United States National Science Foundation (NSF)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Lamellibrachia luymesi is a long-lived vestimentiferan polychaete that produces biogenic habitat at hydrocarbon seeps on the upper Louisiana slope of the Gulf of Mexico. Lamellibrachia luymesi relies on endosymbiotic, chemoautotrophic bacteria for nutrition which are supplied with hydrogen sulphide acquired from seep sediments by the tube worms. In this study, an individual-based model is developed for L. luymesi aggregations. The results show that aggregations can persist for centuries because of extremely low mortality rates. Recruitment patterns reflect intraspecific competition for settlement space, with the recruitment period estimated between 11 and 68 years. Substantial hydrogen sulphide requirements are estimated for large aggregations of L. luymesi , exceeding 30 mmol h(-1). In addition to modifying habitat through physical structure, L. luymesi may be considered to be an ecosystem engineer because of its profound effect on the chemical environment at hydrocarbon seep sites.

Tags

longevity ecology patterns Biology Communities Gulf-of-mexico Continental-slope Louisiana slope Sulfide Vents